Sound Transit and the City of Seattle are hosting the third and final open house to present updated concepts for new rail transit between Ballard and downtown next week at Ballard High School.

Five conceptual routes are currently under review as part of the Ballard to downtown High Capacity Transit study, which will help inform updates to the City of Seattle's Transit Master Plan and Sound Transit's Long Range Plan. The plans identify priorities for potential future transit expansions.

"We're making progress in planning the next rail projects to connect our city's neighborhoods," said Seattle Mayor and Sound Transit Board member Mike McGinn. "I'm looking forward to hearing from the public about these options to connect Ballard and downtown."

Sound Transit and the city hosted open houses in March and June and used online tools to gather feedback on potential rail routes connecting Ballard and downtown. The technical team looked at more than 200 different route suggestions and refined the alternatives down from eight to five potential routes for either light rail or streetcars. The project team will have detailed maps and information at the meeting.

"This is an exciting and important project, and offers the opportunity to serve communities that are growing and would love to have more and better transit services," said Seattle City Council and Sound Transit Board member Richard Conlin.

Construction of any future transit extensions would be subject to Sound Transit and City policy decisions and identification of funding sources. Voter approval is required for potential Sound Transit investments.